Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th January
U12s welcomed Wetherby to Grange Park for the first game of 2022 on a bright and dry Sunday morning. Both teams had early chances; we squandered ours only to see Wetherby take an early lead. This setback knocked our confidence for the remainder of the first half with it ending 2-0 to the visitors at the break. In the second half the game was more even, but again we missed a number of great opportunities, giving the ball away too many times and were punished with another two goals from Wetherby. We kept going and grabbed a late consolation goal from a free kick and finished strongly. The game ended in a 4-1 Wetherby win.
The first half of U13s 2-1 win against Pannal Sports was possibly the best half of football this team ever played. U14s played in the fourth round of the County Cup against Northowram of Huddersfield. We had just 11 players and a single defender, the remainder either injured or ill. To make matters worse our one remaining defender had to come after ten minutes and we then lost another player five minutes later, having to play the rest of the game 10 v 11. We stood up to an onslaught from the opposition and managed to score just before half time. An outstanding display by every one of our players saw us score two more after the break and keep a clean sheet. The boys were shattered when they came off the pitch. The 3-0 win puts us into the last 16 of the competition.
Action from the U18s match v Menston
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December
Barkston Ask Cup semi final action for two of our teams. It was always going to be a tough task for the U12s facing high-flying Garforth Rangers, and so it proved, with the boys succumbing to an 11-0 defeat. Better news for the U14s at Thorpe United. A good, solid performance saw us 3-0 up at half time. Thorpe pulled a goal back in the second half but a minute later we restored the three goal lead, and proceeded to comfortably play out the game to full time to take us into the final.
Elsewhere U13s put in a fine performance to earn a deserved 3-2 friendly win at Wigton Moor and U18s finished the calendar year with a 3-3 draw in a friendly with Pool.
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December
U10s played two and won two against Clifford. One game saw us win by convincingly, the second game saw us battle from two goals down to win right at the death. U11s played a local derby against Wetherby Athletics at The Ings, losing both matches. A mild December Sunday morning in Ripley was the backdrop for an excellent game between the U12s and Nidd East. The game was full of commitment and energy from both sides. We took an early lead but every time we scored Nidd pegged us back. Both teams battled hard; the 5-5 draw was probably a fair result.
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December
U14s Girls travelled to Huddersfield to face Woodlanders Jaguar in Arctic conditions in the County Cup. We started well and scored an early goal, conceded an equaliser but regained the lead before half time. Another equaliser for Woodlanders, but we managed to score a third and hold on to the lead to progress to the next round with a 3-2 win.
U11s and U13s were both in action against Killinghall at Grange Park. U11s were missing three of our stronger players but played the match with just two at the back and a loaded midfield. The tactic worked, with a hard-working side coming out on top. U13s won their game 3-0. U12s travelled to Catterick for an early start on a cold and wet Sunday morning. Both teams started the game very competitively with Catterick creating the early chances. However it was KDR who opened the scoring with two goals in the first fifteen minutes. Catterick drew level by half time, but we dominated after the break, running out 5-3 winners. U15s took some time to get going against Leeds Maccabi but eventully opened the scoring with a stunning long range shot. Two more before half time saw us to into the break 3-0 up. More of the same in the second half, scoring three more without reply to win 6-0 and briefly top the league table. U16s went a goal behind against Pannal Sports but managed to equalise in the final minute of the first half. After the break we picked up the pace and controlled the game, winning 3-1 to maintain our unbeaten record and go top of the league.
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November
U9s faced Wetherby at a cold Grange Park, getting two wins, a draw and a defeat.
Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st November
Two games for the U12s this weekend. A 4-2 league win against Pannal Sports on Saturday was followed by a 3-2 win away at Collingham Racing in the Barkston Ash Cup on Sunday. U13s played their best game in some time to beat Knaresborough Celtic 1-0. U14s' squad was hit by a wave of coughs and colds but despite having only twelve available players went to Rothwell and won 7-0. U18s drew 1-1 away at Pool to register their first points of the season.
Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th November
U13s performed well below their best this weekend, going down 5-3 to Lawnswood. U14s faced a Pannal Ash side that was unbeaten for almost two years. A goal down at half time, we came out fighting after the break and came away with a 4-2 win.
Ahead of kick off at Ripon U10s respect a minute's silence in memory of those who gave their lives in time of war
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th November
U13s were a goal down at half time at Leyburn, but a fine second half performance saw us come home with a 4-1 win. U14s Girls might have been a little apprehensive going into their County Cup tie against high flying Horsforth, but we were 2-0 up after five minutes, scored a third before half time, and two more after the break for a 5-0 win.
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October
The second weekend of half term and more friendly action for our teams. U13s played Ulleskelf for the first time and came home victorious. U18s drew 1-1 in a friendly against Tockwith.
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October
The first weekend of half term saw most of our teams take a break from league football. No time off for the U16s, who played against Kellingley at Grange Park. A fabulous team performance from front to back against very good opposition saw us come away with a 6-0 win.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October
Barkston Ash Cup action for two of our teams today. U12s put the disappointment of their County Cup exit earlier this month firmly behind them, with a well deserved 6-0 win over Garforth Villa at Grange Park. U14s were away to the same opponents, and for the third time this season conceded a goal within the first five minutes of the game. Heeding the wake-up call, they then produced a very strong performance in a hard fought match to progress to the next round with a 6-1 win.
U9s played Pannal Sports at Home, and slipped to their biggest defeat ever against a very good side. U10s were away at Beckwithshaw, coming back with a win, a defeat and two draws. U11s came away from a series of friendlies at Clifford with big smiles on their faces. U14s Girls romped to a 9-0 win away at Kirkstall. At home to Pannal Sports Tigers, U15s were down to just 12 available players due to injuries and COVID isolation. Despite a number of boys playing in unfamiliar positions and creating most of the first half chances, we were unfortunate to go in at the break a goal down, Pannal breaking the deadlock with their first shot on target. In the second half we played the better football but a couple of defensive errors saw us go 3-0 down. We responded with two goals but ran of out time searching for an equaliser. All credit to Pannal's keeper, who pulled off a couple of top quality saves.
Photos from the U15s match v Pannal Sports Tigers
Photos from the U18s match v Ilkley Town
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October
Photos from the U13s match v Harrogate Railway
Photos from the U14s Girls match v Beckwithshaw
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October
U9s were away at Pannal Ash. On a sunny morning both sides played good football, with us just finishing on top, winning one game and drawing the other three. After losing a close encounter with Knaresborough last week, this time out U10s narrowly beat Killinghall in another close end-to-end game. U14s were in league action at home against Rothwell. Before we even woke up we conceded from a corner in the first minute. After that setback we got our game together, producing a very good performance to win the game 5-1.
County Cup action for some of our teams this weekend. U12s were away at Bingley. It quickly became apparent that we were up against an outstanding team, the pace of their thinking and passing soon saw them take the lead while we struggled to break into the opposition half. At half time it was 3-0 to the Bingley and despite us making five substitutions at the start of the second half the game continued in the same vain with us struggling to carve out any clear chances and really test their keeper. The home side continued to dominate with the game ending 7-0 to Bingley. U16s and U18s both progressed to the next round without kicking a ball, both sides getting a bye after the opposition withdrew from the competition.
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September
U10s narrowly lost to Knaresborough in a see-saw game. U12s welcomed Pannel Ash to Grange Park for our first competitive home match of the season. In a game played over 4 x 15 minute quarters, we went into half-time evenly poised at 0-0 with us having had the majority of possession and forcing the Pannal Ash keeper to make a number of excellent saves. The game took a very different direction in the third quarter with Pannal Ash taking command scoring four quick goals as we lost shape and concentration. The fourth quarter was a more even contest, however Pannal scored twice more on the break as we pushed for a consolation goal, with the game finishing 6-0 to the visitors. An excellent performance from the U16s, comfortably beating Ripon 8-0.
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September
U9s first game of the season was a home fixture against Beckwithshaw. We won the first pair of games, then seemed to forget about defending in the next pair, losing one and narrowly winning the other.
U12s first competitive match of the season saw us away at Nidd. The rural location and tranquillity of the surroundings was in contrast to a gritty and sometimes physical encounter, both teams working hard throughout the sixty minute match. Due to sickness and non-availability we had only nine players, meaning all the boys played the full sixty minutes, against opponents who had the luxury of five-six substitutes. Despite the disadvantage we had the majority of the early ball and deservedly went a goal up, only for Nidd to equalise before half time. The second half saw Nidd come more into the game, creating many more chances, and eventually scoring a powerful second goal midway through the half. The boys kept battling, but couldn’t find their way to goal and it finished 2-1 to the hosts.
U13s went into the season having suffered a couple of defeats in pre-season friendlies. No problems this weekend, with a comprehensive 16-0 demolition of Boroughbridge at Grange Park.
U16s also played their first first match of the season against Ilkley in the Grange Park autumn sun. The team was fully motivated from kick-off and did not let Ilkley play in the first half, going into the break a goal up. It could have been 4-0 were it not for the woodwork and some quality goalkeeping from Ilkley. In the second half we took the foot off the gas and Ilkley picked things up. They equalised midway through the half, but we reacted and managed to retake the lead before the final whistle. A 2-1 win, and an encouraging start to the season.
Photos from the U16s match v Ilkley
Playing away at Knaresborough U18s went into half time level at 1-1, both sides having played some good football in the first period. We started well after the break, but as the half went on we began to tire and were unable to cope with Knaresborough's slick passing. The game ended as a 4-1 defeat, but it was a closer contest than the scoreline suggests.
Photos from the U18s match at Knaresborough Celtic
Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
The first weekend of the junior football season. Some of our teams were in league action; some others still preparing for the season ahead with friendly fixtures.
U12s first match of the season was a home friendly against Harrogate Railway. Even though it was a friendly both teams showed total commitment and worked hard for each other during the 60 minute encounter. Split into 3 x 20 minutes periods each third was played in good spirt and effort, without any foul play or poor discipline. Two closely matched teams shared the chances and the ball for much of the game with KDR taking the lead before being pinned back. Harrogate scored an unfortunate own goal to make it 2-1 at the first break to KDR. Our boys passed and moved well during the second period, going into the last fifteen minutes of the game 4-2 ahead. However Harrogate never gave up and pulled a goal back in the last few minutes. Sensing an upset Harrogate scored two very late goals to win the game 5-4, with the winner coming with the last kick of the match.
Photos from the U12s match v Harrogate Railway
U15s were in league action at home against Killinghall Nomads. We got off to a good start in terms of overall possession but posed no real threat in front of goal. The tide turned after we conceded a sloppy goal from a corner, followed by a second before half time. In the second half we played some good football but again our shooting wasn't accurate. We missed a couple of one-on-ones with the keeper and Killinghall took full advantage scoring twice more for a 4-0 win.
Photos from the U15s match v Killinghall Nomads
